The concept of universal health coverage is accepted by various countries, in some countries with different name, but how it can be achieved , one question come to my mind ? Is Community empowerment - a way to achieve universal health coverage, as said by Dr Taufique Joarder et al, in their article
Achieving Universal health coverage through Community Empowerment: A Proposition for Bangladesh.
Sir, In my belief, an important pre requisite for universal health coverage would be health promotion programs. The 'third world' or developing nations usually have low growth and low investment in health sector through government and a high disease burden. Furthermore, the people do not feel the need for having health related facilities and rather compromise on high cost health facilities or don't avail them. This situation is unlike the developed world. In my opinion an essential pre requisite for these countries would be to bring about an attitude change in minds of general public through motivation programs to form a body of positive opinion regarding health care. This could help in an increased demand for primary health care and an increased budgetary allocation in health sector. Further, health promotion programs would reduce the disease burden bu reducing incidence, particularly in case of vector borne and non communicable diseases, so that provision of health care becomes less costly. These programs, however have to be differently tailored for different geographical regions, keeping diversities in view
I think that good heath cover is possible in developing countries, but this does not mean that everything is covered. Here in Fiji there are still a number of diseases wher etreatment in the country is not possible and where patients have to seek overseas treatment. THere seems to be some difference between government hospitals and private ones, but many people also think that the government hospitals are e1qually good, but waiting hours make the difference. I think that thing could further improve when overseas evacuation would become more difficult / costly. I am certain that decsion maker then would provide more funding to make treatment within the country better, as those who decide on this are usually also thise who travel overseas for treatment. Not only politicians but the few in the country that have health insurance which covers the cost for overseas treatment..... Poor people cannot afford this. Here it is also important to not that omce in a while medical teams from overseas come to Fiji to provide free medical treatment. Although all of this can further improve, but it is a start.
Another aspect are rural areas, wher ecoverage and quality of services are lacking behind. Here primary health centers need to be much better equipped with drugs and staff.
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